Several years ago a buyer with whom I was working told me during the "get acquainted or qualifying process" that green was her color. In fact, she said, if you can find me a green home, I'll buy it. Well, I did find a nice little cottage in great condition with a green exterior. I took her to see the home. As we drove up to the property, she said, "Not that color of green." Obviously, green is not always green. That experience had to do with homes bearing the color of green. Today, the concept of Green homes is a very different discussion.
Today, the topic of Green Building or Green Homes entails features and construction methods and materials that relate to energy efficiency and environmentally friendly design and nature. They are homes that have a broad spectrum array of characteristics, requirements and expectations. Along with the list of features and styles of construction, there are many different types of buyers for Green Homes.
Currently, the building industry and the REALTOR® community are aligning themselves with the new demand of buyers as it relates to Green Homes. In so doing it is important to recognize the variety with which these buyers come. The following is a brief breakdown of some of these types of home buyers that must be recognized and considered in dealing with this new phenomenon of home classification. Green buyers and homeowners can often be categorized into one of the following general types:

Economizers: Those who are interested in saving on home operating costs through resource management; those who think green features will distinguish the property in the market.
Investors: Individuals interested in life-cycle cost analysis and value proposition of various green-home features.
Health-Conscious: Those who are interested in the potential health benefits of green living.
Idealists: Those who think a green philosophy is a social responsibility with everyone participating in the conservation of resources for future generations; Individuals truly committed to and passionate about the green movement; Individuals willing to make sacrifices in order to make green lifestyle choices.
Lifestyle-Focused: Those who feel that living by overall sustainability principles contributes to a more meaningful and comfortable personal lifestyle; Individuals supportive of an overall green philosophy and interested in making good decisions about living a green lifestyle.
Eco-Chic: Those who are interested in the status and prestige of green living; Individuals interested in owning the latest green feature or gadget, but may not truly subscribe to the core principles of a green philosophy.
Skeptical/Unaware: Those who are skeptical of the green hype, or are unaware of green philosophy.
As the Green movement matures and understanding and acceptance increase and expand, the various types of Green Home Buyers identified above will have sharper focus and impact with their various groups. While it will take time for awareness to create a general response to these ideas, it should go without saying that there is merit and value in exercising prudent practices and exerting energy saving procedures wherever and whenever possible and practical.
St. George REALTOR® Jim Coleman is Associate Broker and Partner/Owner of ERA Brokers Consolidated. He Specializes in Residential, Investment and Commercial Real Estate, holding National Designations of Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Resort and Second Home Property Specialist (RSPS) and Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES). He was recently awarded NAR's new Green designation. You can contact him by e-mail at Jim@RealtorJimC.com. Call: ( 435 ) 674-0600; or write: Jim Coleman, 201 East St. George Boulevard, St. George, Utah 84770. This and other columns are available at www.RealtorJimC.com/articles.